Single revolution clutch

ABSTRACT

A driving member has an abutment which rotates in an annular path about an axis. Within that annular path is a driven member. A dog is slideably mounted on the driven member to move along a way which is substantially normal to a radius about the axis. The dog moves between positions at which it is (a) projecting into the annular path, and (b) is out of the annular path. A disc pivotally connected to the driven member at a point spaced from the axis and at the opposite side of the axis from the dog is also pivotally connected to the dog. A spring connects the driven member and the plate to urge the plate into a position at which the dog is in the annular path. A finger outside the clutch moves to contact a stop on the plate to pivot the plate to a position at which the dog is withdrawn from the annular path thereby disengaging the clutch.

l I 3,710,903 Jan. 16, 1973 United States Patent n21 Shearer [541 SINGLEREVOLUTION CLUTCH Primary E xaminer-Benjamin W. Wyche [75] InventorAttorney-Howard H. Darbo et al.

Robert B. Shearer, Park Ridge, II]. 60068 [57] ABSTRACT A driving memberhas an abutment which rotates in" an annular path about an axis. Withinthat annular' path is a driven member. A dog is slideably mounted on thedriven member to move along a way which is Company,

[73] Assignee: Persson 221 Filed: June30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 158,400

substantially normal to a radius about the axis. The

dog moves between positions at which it is (a) projecting into theannular path, and (b) is out of the annular path. A disc pivotallyconnected to the driven member [52] US. 192/71 .F16d 71/00, Fl6d 11/06[58] Field of [51] Int.

...l92/71, 28, 33 at a point spaced from the axis and at the oppositeside of the axis from the dog is also pivotally con- References cuednected to the dog. A spring connects the driven UNITED STATES PATENTSmember and the plate to urge the plate into a position at which the dogis in the annular path. A finger outside the clutch moves to contact astop on the plate to pivot the plate to a position at which the dog isH1971 Banchette 6/ 1960 Gelling.... l2/l948 withdrawn from the annularpath thereby disengaging the clutch.

Curtis......

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLKCATIONS 3/l960 Italy 2 Claims, 9 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDJAH 16 I975 SHEET 1 [1F 2 PATENTEI] JAN 16 1973 SHEET 2 BF 2mmgznw z SINGLE REVOLUTION CLUTCH BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The present invention is directed to providing a simple andpositively engaging clutch of the type that can be used to alwaysmaintain a preestablished orientation between the driving member and thedriven member.

In many types of machinery a particular timing or phase relationshipmust be maintained between two mechanisms which are connected by aclutch so that the driving of one can be stopped periodically asrequired by the apparatus. That is, when the clutch is reengaged theparts at each side of the clutch must return to a predeterminedorientation with respect to each other for the machine to operateproperly. The present invention is directed toward supplying a clutch ofthis type which is adaptable to a variety of different types ofinstallation.

The clutch is simple to construct and maintain. The means for actuatingthe clutch (causing it to engage or disengage) can be selected from avariety of power operated elements.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view as seen from the near end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section as seen at line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the driving member;

FIG. 5 is a section taken at line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and showing the clutchdisengaged;

FIG. 7 is a view taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and Y showing the clutchafter engagement;

FIG. 8 is an end view of an alternative form of driving member; and

FIG. 9 is a view taken at line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The following disclosure is offeredfor public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Althoughit is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is notintended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover eachnew inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise itby variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claimsat the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, asit is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts,improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-7 comprise a driving member,generally 10, and a driven member, generally 11. The driven member issecured to a shaft 12 as by means ofa key 13 and a set screw 14. Thedriving member is rotatably mounted on shaft 12, as by means of bearings15. It has, for example, a gear 16 which forms a part of a power sourcenot otherwise illustrated.

The driving member 10 has a flange 17 normal to the axis of rotation andan annular wall 18 extending therefrom. The annular wall has aprojection 19 which, with respect to the direction of rotation 20defines a forwardly facing abutment 21.

The driven member 11 has a collar 24 secured thereto as by means of setscrews 25 and 26. Between the collar and the main body of the drivenmember is an actuator in the form of a plate'27. Plate 27 has an intemal opening 28 which is larger than the annular part 29 of the drivenmember about which it is received. The plate is pivotally mounted on apin 30 pressed into an opening 31 in the driven member 11.

At the opposite side (with respect to the axis) of the driven member 11is a slot 34 which is at right angles to a radius about the axis ofrotation. This slot defines a way for the movement of a dog 35. A pin 36connects plate 27 and dog 35. The arrangement is such that the plate anddog are movable between a position at which the dog is clear of theannular path described by projection 19 about the axis of rotation (FIG.6) or a second position (FIG. 7) at which the dog projects into thatannular path. The plate 27 has a curvilinear periphery with a steptherein which step defines a forwardly facing abutment 28. Screw 25 oncollar 24 projects outwardly from the collar and serves as an anchor forone end of a spring 39. The other end of the spring is anchored to ascrew 40 threaded into plate 27. Thus, the spring supplies a resilientforce urging the plate and dog toward the position at which the dogprojects into the path of the abutment 21 on projection 19.

Externally of the rotating parts of the clutch is a finger 43 pivotallymounted on a shaft 44. Means not shown, such as a solenoid, an aircylinder, etc., are connected to the other end of finger 28 to move itbetween the two positions illustrated in FIG. 2.

The disengaged condition of the clutch is illustrated in FIG. 6. Herethe end of finger 43 is against the abutment 28 defined by the step inthe plate 27. Against the urging of spring 39, the finger thus holds theplate 27 and the dog 35 in their positions such that the dog is out ofthe annular path of movement of abutment 21. The driving member 10continues to rotate but the driven member 11 is stopped.

Toengage the clutch, the finger 43 is moved to the full line positionillustrated in FIG. 2 thereby releasing the plate 27. The spring 39pivots the plate 27 about the pin 30, the extend of movement beingindicated by the dimension A in FIG. 2. In an actual embodiment thismovement amounted to 10. The dog 35 now is in the annular path describedby abutment 21 of the driving member and as that abutment reaches thepoint illustrated in FIG. 2 it' contacts the dog to commence therotation of the driven member 1 1.

The finger 43 need only be held in the displaced position but briefly,for as soon as the step 28 moves past the end of the finger the fingercan be released to ride on the periphery 37 of the plate. FIG. 7illustrates the position of the plate and dog after a brief period ofrotation and also illustrates the finger 43 back resting on theperiphery 37 of the plate.

When the plate rotates to the position at which the end of finger 43 isjust first contacting abutment 28, the

plate stops. For a brief angular movement the driven member l1 continuesto rotate. During this brief angular movement as previously mentioned ina specific embodiment) the plate 27 tips back to the positionillustrated in FIG. 6 with respect to the driven member. This is doneagainst the urging of spring 39 and the relative movement causes awithdrawal of the dog 35 from the path of abutment 21. Thereafter, thedriving member is free to rotate while the driven member remainsstationary.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative form of driving member and analternative mounting therefor. Here the driving member, generally 48, issecured to a driving shaft 49, as by means of a key 50. The drivenmember, not shown in these views, is secured to a driven shaft 51. As inthe previous embodiment, this driving member has a flange 52 whichterminates in an annular wall 53. In this instance there are, however,

' two projections 54 each defining a forwardly facing abutment 55 so faras the direction of rotation is concerned. The mounting of the drivenmember, plate, dog, etc., in relation to the driving member are the sameas that illustrated in FIGS. 1-7.

When the dog is allowed to move out into the annular path defined by theabutments 55, it may be picked up by either one or the other of theabutments depending upon the relationship of the driving and drivenmembers at the time the dog makes that move. After the dog is engaged byone of the abutments, the driven member will be rotated through onerevolution before disengagement. The extent of rotation could be more byholding the finger 43 out of the path of abutment 28 rather than lettingit drop into that path prior to the completion of one revolution.

I claim:

.1. A clutch mechanism for use with a source of power and including:

a driving member rotatable about an axis and adapted to be connected tosaid source of power for rotation in a given direction, said memberhaving a side normal to said axis and having an abutment extending fromsaid side, spaced from said axis and parallel to the axis whereby assaid member rotates said abutment moves in a path in the form of anannulus about said axis; driven member rotatable about said axis, saiddriven member having a portion in juxtaposition to said side and withinsaid annulus, said portion defining a way extending transversely to aradius of said axis; dog part in said way and movable therealong betweena first position at which it is fully within said annulus and a secondposition at which it extends into said annulus, whereby when the dogpart is in the second position the rotation of the driving member willbring the abutment against the dog part and cause the driven member torotate with the driving member while when the dog part is in the firstposition the dog will not be contacted by the abutment; and operatingmeans operatively coupled to the dog part for moving the dog partbetween said two positions, said operating means including an actuatorpart pivotally connected to said driven member at a point spaced fromsaid axis and from said dog part and movable in an are about saidpivotal connection, said actuator part being coupled to said dog part tomove said dog part between said positions as said actuator part movesbetween the ends of the are, resilient means coupled to one of saidparts to urge the dog part to the second position,

said actuator being a plate having a curvilinear periphery normal tosaid axis, said periphery having a step therein defining an abutmentfacing forward with respect to said direction of rotation, said pivotalconnection being at the opposite side of said axis from said dog, and adevice positioned at a side of said mechanism for contacting saidactuator part and moving it against said urging to the end of the arccorresponding to the first position of the dog part, said deviceincluding a finger movable between a first position at which it rides onsaid periphery and a second position at which it is spaced away fromsaid plate, whereby when the finger is riding on the periphery and saidabutment contacts said finger, said plate will be pivoted to the end ofthe arc at which said dog part isin the driven member having a portionin juxtaposition to said side and within said annulus;

latching means on said driven member and including a part adjacent saidannulus which is movable between a first position at which it is out ofthe path of said abutment and a second position at which it is in saidpath; and

operating means having a portion. on said driven member and coupled tosaid part formoving said part between said positions, said operatingmeans including an actuator pivotally connected to said driven member ata point spaced from said axis and from said part and movable in anarcabout said pivotal connection, said actuator being coupled to said partto move said part between said positions as said actuator moves betweenthe ends of the are, resilient means to urge the'part to the secondposition, said actuator being a plate having a curvilinear peripherynormal to said axis, said periphery having a step therein facing forwardwith respect to said direction of rotation, said pivotal connectionbeing at the opposite side of said axis from said part, and a devicepositioned at a side of said actuator for contacting said actuator andmoving it against said urging to the end of the arc correspondingto thefirst position of the part, said device including a finger movablebetween a first position at which it rides on said periphery and asecond position at which it is spaced away from said plate, whereby whenthe finger is riding on the periphery and said abutment contacts said I,

driven member rotatable about said axis, said

1. A clutch mechanism for use with a source of power and including: adriving member rotatable about an axis and adapted to be connected tosaid source of power for rotation in a given direction, said memberhaving a side normal to said axis and having an abutment extending fromsaid side, spaced from said axis and parallel to the axis whereby assaid member rotates said abutment moves in a path in the form of anannulus about said axis; a driven member rotatable about said axis, saiddriven member having a portion in juxtaposition to said side and withinsaid annulus, said portion defining a way extending transversely to aradius of said axis; a dog part in said way and movable therealongbetween a first position at which it is fully within said annulus and asecond position at which it extends into said annulus, whereby when thedog part is in the second position the rotation of the driving memberwill bring the abutment against the dog part and cause the driven memberto rotate with the driving member while when the dog part is in thefirst position the dog will not be contacted by the abutment; andoperating means operatively coupled to the dog part for moving the dogpart between said two positions, said operating means including anactuator part pivotally connected to said driven member at a pointspaced from said axis and from said dog part and movable in an arc aboutsaid pivotal connection, said actuator part being coupled to said dogpart to move said dog part between said positions as said actuator partmoves between the ends of the arc, resilient means coupled to one ofsaid parts to urge the dog part to the second position, said actuatorbeing a plate having a curvilinear periphery normal to said axis, saidperiphery having a step therein defining an abutment facing forward withrespect to said direction of rotation, said pivotal connection being atthe opposite side of said axis from said dog, and a device positioned ata side of said mechanism for contacting said actuator part and moving itagainst said urging to the end of the arc corresponding to the firstposition of the dog part, said device including a finger movable betweena first position at which it rides on said periphery and a secondposition at which it is spaced away from said plate, whereby when thefinger is riding on the periphery and said abutment contacts saidfinger, said plate will be pivoted to the end of the arc at which saiddog part is in the first position.
 2. A clutch mechanism for use with asource of power and including: a driving member rotatable about an axisand adapted to be connected to said source of power for rotation in agiven direction, said member having a side normal to said axis andhaving aN abutment extending from said side, spaced from said axis andparallel to the axis whereby as said member rotates said abutment movesin a path in the form of an annulus about said axis; a driven memberrotatable about said axis, said driven member having a portion injuxtaposition to said side and within said annulus; latching means onsaid driven member and including a part adjacent said annulus which ismovable between a first position at which it is out of the path of saidabutment and a second position at which it is in said path; andoperating means having a portion on said driven member and coupled tosaid part for moving said part between said positions, said operatingmeans including an actuator pivotally connected to said driven member ata point spaced from said axis and from said part and movable in an arcabout said pivotal connection, said actuator being coupled to said partto move said part between said positions as said actuator moves betweenthe ends of the arc, resilient means to urge the part to the secondposition, said actuator being a plate having a curvilinear peripherynormal to said axis, said periphery having a step therein facing forwardwith respect to said direction of rotation, said pivotal connectionbeing at the opposite side of said axis from said part, and a devicepositioned at a side of said actuator for contacting said actuator andmoving it against said urging to the end of the arc corresponding to thefirst position of the part, said device including a finger movablebetween a first position at which it rides on said periphery and asecond position at which it is spaced away from said plate, whereby whenthe finger is riding on the periphery and said abutment contacts saidfinger, said plate will be pivoted to the end of the arc at which saidpart is in the first position.